Hillside News Brief

Dec. 21-Jan. 5 - Winter Break (Students return January 6)

Jan. 9 - Community Club Meeting in the Hillside Library

Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)

Jan. 21 - Professional Learning for Teachers (No School)

Jan. 24 - Spirit Day (wear Hillside spiritwear or orange and blue)

Feb. 6 - 5:15pm Community Club Meeting in the library

Feb. 13 - Valentines celebrations in classrooms throughout the day

Feb. 13 - 6:00pm K-1 Music Program at Westside Middle School

Feb. 14 - NO SCHOOL. Teacher Work Day

Feb. 17 - Professional Learning Day -- NO SCHOOL

Hillside Families:

We have a dedicated staff outside opening car doors when they are able and making sure our students stay out of harm's way. The same crew is outside in the morning daily, and we thank them for their dedication, especially in this very cold weather.

PLEASE do not attempt to just let your student out at the front door. Pull up as far as you can; let your student out at the spot where you have pulled up to. They do NOT need to get out at the cafeteria doors! We line them up in certain spots and escort them to the cafeteria doors when it is time. We do not want to see students getting out at the spot where we are trying to direct students to the cafeteria.

Please bring your patience. The car ahead of you will, indeed move up and pull out in a timely manner. Do not attempt to back up when you are in the line. We did have a driver back into another trying to do this maneuver. It might take a minute or two, but you WILL get through the line and be on your way.

Our new building will have a driveway three times the size of the one we have now. Look toward a bright future for pick up and drop off!!

It's back! Last year, we set a Westside record amount for fundraising and participants in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics of Nebraska and have even higher goals for this year! Everyone of all ages is welcome to take the plunge!

We are making it a competition again this year, with a traveling trophy for the school that raises the most money and has the most participants! We will have one trophy for the elementary level, and one for the secondary level. There will be frequent updates for who is in the lead! We highly encourage administrators, teachers, students and EA's to join in and fundraise. We promise it's not THAT cold and we have donuts, hot chocolate, a tent, and a heater for when you are done! School themed costumes are ALWAYS encouraged!

Date: February 8, 2025

Time: Check-in: 9:30am, Plunge: 11am

Location: Lake Zorinsky
156th and F St, Omaha, NE 68137

Post-Plunge Party: Brewsky's Food & Spirits
15350 Weir St

Please use the link to sign up with the Special

Olympics AND fill out the form, so we know which school you are representing!

Westside Football will be hosting their Youth Football Camp in the spring this year. The camp will be at the Omaha Sports Complex on Saturday, April 26th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. The purpose of this camp is to introduce the techniques, fundamentals, and skills needed to play football for Westside High School. All current 3rd-7th graders are invited to Sign Up Here.

Here is the link, too: https://myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZPLR6704EZ4_ZZJUK811MF0POGF…

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the WE-SIDE Multicultural Fair, happening Saturday, March 29, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Westside High School’s main gymnasium. Mark your calendar—this year, we’re hosting the event in March, a change from previous years!

This vibrant celebration showcases the rich diversity of Westside and the Omaha community through food, activities, performances, and fun. We’d love for you to be part of this exciting event.

Share Your Culture
We’re looking for individuals, families, and groups eager to share their cultural traditions. Whether it’s food, art, music, dance, stories, or a display, this is your chance to highlight what makes your heritage unique and connect with our community.

How You Can Participate:

• Host a cultural information booth
• Share traditional foods or recipes
• Perform a dance, song, or other cultural activity
• Display cultural artifacts or memorabilia
• Volunteer and help make this event special for everyone

Get Involved
Simply click here to fill out this form and let us know how you’d like to participate. Have questions or need more details? Reach out to Danielle Herzog, our Coordinator of District Special Projects—we’re here to help!

We can’t wait to see you at this joyful celebration of culture, connection, and community. Let’s make this year’s WE-SIDE Multicultural Fair the best one yet!

Once again, Westside's preschool program at Underwood Hills is looking for peer models. Please see the two items below for more information.

Hillside's philosophy is that students deserve to learn social skills right along with academics. We want our students to learn how to accept feedback gracefully, how to regulate their emotions appropriately, and how to negotiate skillfully with peers. We are committed to helping all our students to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally.